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Camden New Journal - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 16 August 2007

Chef Mohamed Drali and Major Jim Williams

Salvation Army chefs face axe after funding is pulled

THE Salvation Army in Chalk Farm has launched an appeal to save its trainee chefs who cook for free after the council announced it is axing their funding.
More than 500 customers of the canteen in Chalk Farm Road have signed a petition to save the eight workers, who work in a deal with the Salvation Army and the Town Hall.
The trainees, who all suffer from mental health problems, are taught to cook by Chameleon Catering, a charity organisation funded by the umbrella group New Directions Camden.
New Directions are set to lose Camden’s financial backing at the end of September.
The lunches – which come in three courses for a bargain £3.50, and feature quality cuisine such as spring chicken and lemon cheesecake – are served to more than 300 pensioners each week.
Major Jim Williams, the Salvation Army’s commanding officer for Camden, is appalled at the council’s decision.
He said: “I’ve made a promise to members that the meal is £3.50 and we haven’t put it up for two years, but this will make it unbelievably difficult for us. We will have to find funding to enable us to continue this service.”
Chef Mohamed Drali said working in the kitchen was a lifeline for many of his trainees,who suffer from debilitating illnesses such as depression.
He said learning how to cook and gaining a qualification had given many of his clients a vital boost in self-esteem. In the past 18 months four trainees have gone on to work in restaurants and canteens.
“This gives them a chance to get out,” said Drali. “Can you imagine someone staying at home in bed seven days a week, and then coming here? By being here they get the support to go back into society.”
As Chameleon is a unique service, there is nowhere else for the students to go when the funding – around £86,000 a year – runs out.
This is the second time in less than two years that Chameleon Catering have faced a crisis after they were forced out of their last premises, the Jamestown Centre in Adelaide Road. The building was later sold off by the council.
A council spokesman said: “The new contract has gone to a consortium of organisations. Services will be improved.”

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